I was a debt collector for 10 years. In all of my years as a debt collector I never once resorted to being nasty, rude, or aggressive. I use the adage that you get more flies with honey than you do with vinegar. I was one of the highest producing employees in the office and made my bonus every month. You do not have to lose your soul to be a debt collector all you have to do is remember that everyone that you were calling those more people than just you. Once you remember that they owe everybody you have to be the nicest person on the phone or you will not be the first person they will pay. Bottom line is; people will pay their mortgage/rent, put food on their table, put gas in their gas tank, and pay for their heat, if you want to be the first person they pay after all of that is paid then you better be the nicest person that’s calling them.